Thousands of Dalit Christians took out a rally in Kerala’s Capital of Thiruvanathapuram on Tuesday, demanding 5% reservation in Central government jobs and 4% in states, The Hindu reported. The protestors also demanded 10% quota for Dalit Christian students in higher educational institutions.

The rally, organised by the Council of Dalit Christians, began from the Museum junction and concluded at the Secretariat. “This is not merely a community issue but a church issue as 95% of Indian Christians are Dalits”, Church of South India Kollam-Kottarakara Bishop Oommen George said. The organisation’s moderator, Thomas K Oommen, said discriminating against people based on their religion was a violation of the Constitution.

Council of Dalit Christians and Church of South India representatives later met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and submitted a memorandum of their demands. The representatives said Vijayan had agreed to consider their demands.